You wont regret investing in the XT. I used a 660 for years. Great nav.
I use the selection wheel for the TFT, All my music and calls come through the TFT and Sena 50s. What do you think of the new 1200 Tiger ? I did own a new Explorer XT a while back now. Hated it, and got rid within eight months. I took the new one out when it was first launched. Greta bike, But it isn't a GSA. The triple is a fantastic gritty powerplant. 4th gear is awesome. Ill not be buying one though.
I had a test ride on a new Tiger 1200 - it was the 1200 GT Explorer (19" front wheel, 30 litre tank). Just a half-hour. Loved it!
It feels a bit nippier and sharper than a GS IMO. Feels lighter and more flickable. I did not notice vibes (some road tests comment on vibes) at my usual rev range (2500 - 6000), indeed a massive surge of smooth power, plenty for overtakes etc (as expected from a 1200cc bike!). It's a bit more urgent that a GS IMO (like a GS in "Dynamic"). I did not notice bad suspension dive (I expected it after the GS's lack of brake dive) under breaking. Above 6k revs it's a scalded cat (and vibrations started). Not XR crazy, but more than a GS IMO. The riding position is so similar to a GS, indeed the geometry for sitting on the bike felt identical! Weather protection was better than GS (maybe not GSA), less buffeting from the screen. It did feel like a cross between a GS and a XR
Upsides compared to GS in a nutshell - more nimble, lighter, nippier. Better brakes (it has linked brakes, but Styleema Brembos are awesome!), longer service intervals (10k miles), I preferred the Triumph version of "keyless", I think (not lived with it yet!). Illuminated switchgear. Slightly higher geared than a GS, geared more like an RS. It's not a BMW!
Negatives - luggage integration not so good (the Varios are fab and leave no traces/scaffold when off the bike), no wonderwheel (!), valve-clearance service is a major task! Maybe the BMW TFT is a bit better, Tiger TFT slow to "boot up".
I personally found it hard to think there's a clear winner between the GS and new Tiger. They're both awesome to cover long distance with ease. Preformance will be similar with the Triumph having a slight edge on power. They both cover huge distances easily, but yet can set a good pace on a twisty mountain road. Altho the Triumph felt nippier, I don't know how it would fare in the handling department against a GS on a mountain road (like for instance the Picos San Glorio Pass, or the Hartside Pass) whether one bike or the other would show a clear advantage. I've also yet to ride the Tiger 2-up, and my ladyfriend would need to give the pillion perch a "thumbs", she loves the GS ride comfort...
Of course the new BMW 1300 boxer engine will no doubt put the GS range fully in the lead
I'm sure BMW will tackle some of the "weaknesses" of the current range, and try to leapfrog the competition.